Levothyroxine Questions

[thyroidmom84]

I am starting to think levo may not be the right drug for me. I know I am currently hypo (Tsh 6.1, .45- 4.5, T3 3.0, 2.0 - 4.4) and my doctor has increased my dosage incrementally by a total of 34.7 mcg over the last few months. Since the increase, I am sweating more and overheated. I also started using a new pharmacy and noticed my pill is now blue instead of pink (possible allergic reaction- I also have hives now). Where vitamins are concerned- I have low ferritin and have just started supplementing (Vitamin D and B12 were low, have been supplementing and they are improving).

I told my endo about these symptoms and told her I read some are side effects of levo. She says I would only have side effects if I was hyperthyroid, which my bloodwork indicates I am not. Is this true or can you have levo side effects when euthyroid or under medicated?

I am debating asking to go on a T3/T4 combo like Armour- any thoughts?

Also, I realize these symptoms may be because I am still under medicated but she doesn’t seem to want to acknowledge that Hashi’s can give you symptoms of both. Basically, she never gives me answers and only seems to be willing to change my dose after bloodwork. Guessing it’s time for a new endo.

[greygoose]

She says I would only have side effects if I was hyperthyroid, which my bloodwork indicates I am not.

That makes no sense whatsoever. I think, basically, she just doesn't know anything about thyroid.

Just looking at your TSH one can see that you are very under-medicated and probably need several increases in dose. Although, it would be helpful if you also had an FT4 result. Why is your endo pussy-footing around with such inconsequential increases? She should be increasing by 25 mcg every six weeks until your TSH comes down to 1 or under, and your Frees are in the upper part of the range, wherever you need them to make you well.

You can't really tell if levo is right for you until you get onto the right dose. It's best to get levels as right as you can on levo only before thinking about NDT, because that tells you how well you convert. Which is always handy to know.

[thyroidmom84 in reply to greygoose]

I apologize, I forgot to post it- on 12/3 (most recent bloodwork) Free T4 1.75, .82- 1.77. This is most helpful- I am about to switch physicians

[thyroidmom84 in reply to thyroidmom84]

Oh and the T4 is so high because I took levo right before the blood draw (as she never told me not to do this)

[greygoose in reply to thyroidmom84]

I don't suppose she understands what happens when you take your dose before the blood draw. Very few of them do. So, that result isn't very helpful, then, I'm afraid.

[thyroidmom84 in reply to greygoose]

I think you are the one on this forum that originally advised me of how to prepare for labs going forward. I wish you could be my endo lol!

[shaws in reply to thyroidmom84]

We have to tell people how to prepare as the majority of doctors (unless they themselves are hypo) don't seem to have a clue about how the TSH is highest early a.m. and drops throughout the day. Meaning that some people aren't diagnosed.

[thyroidmom84 in reply to shaws]

It really is quite crazy and also depressing. It makes me think of some “subclinical” folks begging for medication.

[greygoose in reply to thyroidmom84]

Oh, I wouldn't last very long! lol I'd be hauled up by the medical board and slung out for not adhering to their stupid rules!

[thyroidmom84 in reply to greygoose]

You know you are 100% correct. But I do so appreciate all the help you have given me thus far!

[greygoose in reply to thyroidmom84]

You're very welcome.

[Suffolklady in reply to thyroidmom84]

What is the preparation for having a blood test please?

[thyroidmom84 in reply to Suffolklady]

This is per SlowDragon:

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

[Suffolklady in reply to thyroidmom84]

Thank you for your advice, useful to know.

[helvella]

In the USA (and many other countries where levothyroxine is produced as coloured tablets), the 50 microgram dosage is white - not coloured.

The reason for this is to provide at least one option for people who react to the colouring agent(s) used.

If you could only have an issue if you were hyperthyroid, why on earth would gigantic pharmaceutical companies bother making these white tablets? (If I were one of those companies, I'd want to produce tablets in my corporate colours! )

Many people find one make intolerable and another make is fine.

[thyroidmom84 in reply to helvella]

Thank you, great point. I am looking into another endo now.

[Batty1 in reply to thyroidmom84]

I had a horrible reaction to 112mcg synthyroid , I had hives, sweating and generally felt off and Endo did not care saw no issues between my issues and this pill (I Fired him).

[thyroidmom84 in reply to Batty1]

What did you end up switching to?

[Batty1 in reply to thyroidmom84]

Synthyroid I think it was 88mcg (green pill) after 112mcg failed and in my experience Endos do not want to increase your medication only drop it especially if your (TSH) is in range, pretty US standard to follow TSH and ignore everything else.

[Treepie]

You may be reacting to the fillers in the tablets. Many seem to have a problem with Teva but all the brands seem to cause problems for a few folk.

[Lea122]

What makes you think another endo will be any different?

I think it is a good idea to ask about a new treatment

and to switch endos if she disregards your side effects

[thyroidmom84 in reply to Lea122]

Sadly I don’t know that any endos will be different

[Lea122 in reply to thyroidmom84]

Did you check your antibodies to see if it is hashimoto's

[thyroidmom84 in reply to Lea122]

Yes, I have Hashi’s

[san_ray70]

I have been on Levothyroxine for the past 15 years, I did not feel ill at all but the doctor told me I needed to take the tablets. I argued and they told me I would be very poorly if I did not. My younger sister was diagnosed a few years later and refused medication, but she had a bad year and finally gave in and started taking Levo.

[Lea122]

I did not take my pill today, I would like to be able to survive without it

[Dottie19]

I was definitely better after changing to natural desiccated thyroid . The FDA don’t approve so have to purchase it , but well worth it .

Again billions of pounds industry for the drug industry and yet natural thyroid from the pig was originally used to treat 100 years ago or so !

My hair has improved and less headaches although it can really get you down .

Check adrenals ? A simple saliva test .

I ended up paying privately for endo and more intricate blood testing .

Slowly improving but worth it

[thyroidmom84 in reply to Dottie19]

Yes I have been looking into adrenals and cortisol testing. Thank you!

[Mselk in reply to Dottie19]

can i ask what you take and who you went to see? just beginning this journey myself x

[NoUserNameIsNotUsed]

Hi thyroidmom84. I just wanted to chime in to say that I had an allergic reaction to both the generic Levo and Synthroid. After painstakingly tracking down the inactive ingredient lists for both and checking off the common fillers, I made a guess that it was the acacia that was in both brands. Some people are allergic to it and get rashes or hives. I also got runny, puffy eyes from it. I looked at the inactive ingredients from other brands and picked Levoxyl and been doing better on it.

In general, I get side effects from Levo, even if I'm not in the upper range (although I have more symptoms when it's very high). For example, my skin is drier no matter where in the range my T3 is when I'm taking Levo. No idea why. My hair falls out, but the higher the dose the worse it is. I've also gotten nerve problems since I started Levo (I was on just naturethroid before, now on a combo of both NDT and T4). Not sure if it's related.

[maswys92]

“She says I would only have side effects if I was hyperthyroid, which my bloodwork indicates I am not.”

They said the same to me - so I went private to an Endocrinologist.

I was on 250mg of Levothyroxine with the NHS.

The private endo put me on NDT Armour and it’s changed my life. 4 years later, no pain or aches and I’m back to full energy.

I hope you feel better!

[thyroidmom84 in reply to maswys92]

I am going to ask for Armour once my tsh stabilizes, thank you for the message!